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Chrysler, Nissan show new Euro-style commercial vans

The don't have near the sex appeal of the latest SRT model or the limited edition GT-R that Chrysler and Nissan rolled out for the Chicago Auto Show. But the mundane new commercial vans each unveiled here

The don't have near the sex appeal of the latest SRT model or the limited edition GT-R that Chrysler and Nissan rolled out for the Chicago Auto Show.

But the mundane new commercial vans each also showed here today will generate a whole lot more sales and profits for their companies. These new entries will join an intensifying competition for commercial customers among several makers with new, more fuel-efficient, Euro-style vans.

The new vans generally feature taller roofs, lower load floors and smaller, more fuel-efficient engines than many past commercial vans.

Chrysler's Ram unit unveiled out the 2014 Ram ProMaster full-size van that will go on sale this fall and compete against the new Ford Transit, also due in the fall, as well as Daimler's Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (nee Dodge Sprinter when Daimler ran Chrysler) and Nissan's recent NV cargo vans in a profitable segment that is expected to grow with the recovering economy.

"It is important from a bottom-line point of view for Chrysler," said Michelle Krebs, senior analyst with Edmunds.com.

The ProMaster also is the latest Chrysler vehicle to tap into the resources of Fiat -- it's a version of the Fiat Ducato full-size van. The front-drive van will offer a choice of a 3-liter four-cylinder diesel engine or the Chrysler 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 gasoline engine and a six-speed automatic transmission or a new automated manual gearbox.

Its unibody construction keeps it lightweight for better fuel economy. And customers can can pick from two roof heights, three wheelbases and four body lengths. A chassis cab and cutaway are available from the factory. There is a standard sliding door on the passenger side and optional sliding door on the driver's side.

"As Ram takes a larger presence in the commercial truck market, the 2014 Ram ProMaster is a great addition, contributing to a one-stop shop of commercial-duty Ram trucks and vans," said Fred Diaz, head of the Ram brand.

While the van was developed in Italy, the ProMaster was tested in North America to be sure it could handle the conditions here. It will be built at Chrysler's Saltillo, Mexico, plant, starting in the third quarter.

The van can carry up to 5,145 pounds with a maximum towing capacity of 5,100 pounds. The gross combined weight for the gas engine van is 11,500 pounds and for the diesel, 12,500 pounds.

The ProMaster is one of two Fiat commercial vans expected to migrate to the Ram brand. The next will be a version of the smaller Fiat Doblo that would compete against Ford's Transit Connect. It is not expected until 2014 at the earliest.

With the loss of the Sprinter, Chrysler's commercial van lineup has been limited to a version of the minivan. The ProMaster will fill the gap and anchor Ram's new commercial truck division. About 600 Ram dealers are trained to sell and service commercial vehicles.

Meanwhile, Nissan unveiled a new addition to its NV van line, a smaller NV200 cargo van that will directly rival Ford's redesigned, smaller Transit Connect. The NV200 in passenger form is the vehicle that New York City chose last year as its new official taxicab.

The truck, on sale in April, adds to the line fielded by Nissan's three-year-old commercial unit that already includes the full-size NV 1500, 2500 and 3500 vans.

The Japanese automaker has more than 300 dealers certified to sell and service commercial vehicles who will add the NV200 to their lineup.

The new van, which comes in two trim levels, has tall rear doors, a low load floor and 1,500-pound payload capacity. The front-drive truck has a 131-hp. 2-liter four-cylinder engine and is rated at 24 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.